What is 'Toilet AFT'?
Dear Dr English,
In an aeroplane I saw a sign reading 'Toilet AFT'. What does AFT stand for?
Sho Naruse
'Aft' is a nautical word (to do with ships) and means at the back, behind. The old word for ÒaeroplaneÓ is ÒairshipÓ. We still use this association with a ÒspaceshipÓ. You can, therefore, expect some nautical terms to still be used in planes.
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Making 'Good' wishes
Dear Dr English,
I would like to know the time of day when it would be correct to say ÒGood afternoonÓ and when to wish someone ÒGood eveningÓ.
Christine Chou
We change ÒGood afternoon!Ó to ÒGood evening!Ó when we finish work for the day, which is usually between 5 and 6 in the evening. It is quite common to find one person greeting another with a ÒGood evening!Ó while the other replies, ÒGood afternoon!Ó
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US Presidents and their numbers
Dear Dr English,
ÒBill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States.Ó If I do not know his name, I can ask, ÒWho is the 42nd president?Ó. If I did not know that he was the 42nd president, how would I ask to find out what number he is?
Sho Naruse
Of all the different possibilities - some of them certainly grammatically more correct than others - ÒWhat number president was Bill Clinton?Ó seems to be the least confusing and the most likely to get the desired answer without asking for clarification. Although I must admit that, linguistically speaking, it is not the most elegant.
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CV and resume
Dear Dr English,
Can you please explain the difference between a CV (curriculum vitae) and a resume?
Kathleen Pokrud
Actually both words refer to pretty much the same thing. It is a short, written description of your education, qualifications, previous employment and your personal interests. When you apply for a job you send your CV or resume to the employer from which you are trying to get a job. CV or curriculum vitae is used mainly in the UK, while Americans tend to refer to it as a resume.
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